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Better Payouts: The Problem

I have considered myself a touring pro (master) ever since I first accepted cash at a sanctioned event. I may not tour very far outside of Michigan, and I may not be good enough to be a touring card holder (rating: 937), but I do get out to a lot of events and I feel the pain of every touring disc golf pro: the payouts I do (rarely) win are scarcely enough to cover my expenses to get to the event. Although many pro masters, like myself, are in it more for the fun than the money, I share the concerns of all the pros about payouts, especially with the cost of gas going through the roof.

I believe there are several factors that contribute to the current payout problem:

1. Not enough players in pro divisions, especially open
2. PDGA payout guidelines are not consistently applied
3. Split Tier Events
4. Little or no sponsor added cash for most B/C events

My Solutions

1. "Encourage" more players to move up by implementing the changes outlined in my "Sandbagging" article
2. The PDGA pro payout tables typically generate 40-50% payouts across all divisions. If the open divisions (men and women) were no more than 1/3rd (33%), this would give the top players more cash, at the sacrifice of fewer cashing places. It may be just enough of a difference that high-rated pro masters players (1000 or better) might be more inclined to play open if they knew that had a shot at a bigger payout.
3. I've never been a fan of split tiers, because they are usually applied as a higher tier status for amateurs while not meeting the added cash requirement for the pro divisions at that tier. This has created a flood of C and B/C tier events at the expense of pure B tier events. In my opinion, it is settling for quantity over quality. I would prefer to see a lot fewer C tiers, more B tiers, and no more split tiers. Travelling to fewer events with better payouts also makes a lot of sense in the current economic situation.
4. I think that this is in part due to the proliferation of split-tier events, making it easier to hold a sanctioned event without the added cash restrictions. If we truly want the sport to get to the next level, we need to encourage, not discourage, events with added cash. The PDGA should be a more active resource that TD's can turn to to help them secure cash sponsorships. Getting Microtel onboard as a major sponsor is a step in the right direction; other chain service businesses that disc golfers routinely patronize (gas/food/lodging) might be more willing to add cash.